72-year-old pensioner quizzed over shop stabbing

Thursday 28 July 2011 07:11 BST

An elderly shopkeeper is due to be questioned on suspicion of murder after a man trying to rob his flower shop was stabbed to death.

The 72-year-old pensioner, named locally as Cecil Coley, is believed to have been involved in an altercation when a number of men entered his florist's outlet, in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday evening.

Police were called to the shop in Shrewsbury Street following reports that a man had been injured.

A 30-year-old man found at the scene was taken to hospital with a stab wound but died a short time later.

Greater Manchester Police said a 19-year-old man presented himself at Manchester Royal Infirmary with stab wounds following the incident, before being arrested on suspicion of robbery.

He remains in hospital along with the arrested shopkeeper, who was also injured in the attempted robbery.

Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts, from GMP's Trafford Division, said the shopkeeper's injuries were "not life threatening" and that he will be spoken to in due course.

He said a gun had been found at the scene, which is being forensically examined. Police said two people were in the shop "legitimately" at the time it was raided.

Mr Roberts added: "I would like to reassure residents that we do not believe there is any danger to the community and would urge anyone who may have seen something to contact us."

Shrewsbury Street was cordoned off following the incident while scenes of crime officers carried out forensic investigations at the florist's shop.

Mr Coley's nephew, Glen Simms, 49, described the shopkeeper as a "hard worker".

Mr Simms said his uncle had had the shop premises for 40 years, keeping it open through various business ventures, including a dress maker's and a fancy goods shop.

"He was like a father to me," the nephew said."I heard about what happened this morning but none of the family have been able to speak to him in hospital and see that he's okay.

"His health is a huge worry for all of us."

Mr Simms added: "I heard that two men went into rob the shop and that my uncle was there with a friend.

"It appears they were attacked and my uncle acted to defend himself."

Resident, Lee Spiby, 30, said he tried to do CPR on the man who had been stabbed. He added: "It's terrible. I am gutted I couldn't save him. There was nothing I could do. I tried my best."

Some neighbours said there was drug dealing known to go on in the area. Shauna Smith, 17, said Mr Coley was known as "Pudding" because he used to make "slushies" - crushed ice drinks - and described him as a "very nice and lovely man".

Resident Manmohan Singh, 57, said Mr Coley was also known by the nickname "Pops".

He added: "He is a very nice man. I have known him for years and years. He has never been a violent sort of person."